Newsletter: August 2023

MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Greetings everyone, I hope this message finds you all in good spirits as the summer begins to wind down. I cannot believe it is already the end of summer! This year is certainly flying by. As the Executive Director for the Chamiza Foundation, I have been busy trying to organize two major events for the foundation. The first event is a retreat and strategic planning session for our board members. It will be taking place in Zuni, NM. The purpose of the retreat is for board members to visit past grantees and to spend time together to reminisce, learn and grow with one another. We will be out there for two days. On the first day, we will visit the Zuni Pueblo Eagle Sanctuary, the A:shiwi Awan Museum & Heritage Center, and visit with a Zuni Pueblo Artwalk Artist for a private demonstration.  On the second day, we will be focusing on a strategic plan to discuss policies and procedures for the foundation and to also discuss the future of the foundation.

The second event I have been planning is a grant writing training. We are working with the Grant Plant to offer this great opportunity. It will be taking place at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque, NM on Thursday October 19, 2023, from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm (see flyer below). This is a free training that is open to Pueblo people who want to learn about grant writing and are interested in applying to the Chamiza Foundation for a grant. Space is limited, so if you are interested in attending, please contact me so I can reserve you a spot. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

On a personal note, I have also been busy taking care of my little boy. He is now 6 months old. He is growing fast! I work from home, so I am able to look after him until he is ready to go to day care (or maybe it’s more like when I’M ready for him to go to day care, lol). I enjoy reading to him, playing with him and talking to him in Tiwa. He is currently teething, so he is putting everything in his mouth and he is also learning how to crawl. Everyday is a joy with him. I am so blessed to have him in my life.

Everyone take care and be good to yourselves and one another 🙂

Sincerely,

Dr. Amanda J. Montoya

 

 

 

Chamiza Foundation Board Members and Staff

JUNE 2023

This past June at our second board meeting for the year, we got the opportunity to take some great photos. The first photo is of most of our board members and one staff member. We are missing Ted Jojola and Alissa Chavez Lowe in this photo. The second photo is of Diane Reyna and the Phillips Family. Diane Reyna resigned from the Chamiza Foundation Board after serving 25 years. Ms. Reyna served as our Chamiza Foundation Board President.  Mr. Brian Vallo is our new Chamiza Foundation President. Mr. Vallo is the former Governor for Acoma Pueblo.